Page 37 of Battling Bright
“Their brains were rapidly changing direction.”
He chuckled.“Was it psychic or scent?”
She grimaced.“Scent.”
“It was getting a little thick in there.”He laughed.
“Don’t tell Vaia.She would be mortified.”
“I don’t see how it would come up.”
She hauled on the doors to the coach house and nodded.“Yeah, we can totally keep stuff in here.”
“And the reason you don’t do the chairs?”
“Is because some folks want a specific chair shape for some reason, and others need to accommodate tails and wings.”
“Ah, yes.Your staff was very circumspect.”
She grinned.“They are good at that.”
“So, you really want to do this?”
She rubbed her forehead.“It is going to mean changing things with the XIA.If they want to keep me, I will be going casual.”
“Why?”
“Because this is taking off fast.When it slows, I can start a new business or change direction, but for now, it’s a newborn, and newborns need attention.”
He said softly, “Do you ever consider children?”
“At an event?All the time.In my personal life?Not yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t want the humiliation that comes with following instincts.My aunts were brutal to my mother.Uncles, too.I don’t get along with the Depfords.”
“What about your father’s side?”
“Oh, that was a whole other thing.They are a power-based hierarchy.I could take them over in two minutes, and I think my uncle now knows it.I don’t like that kind of thing.So, too much judgment on either side.”
“What if no family had to be involved?”
“Well, that would be nice, but my mom and dad are great.I now have some cousins I trust.”She chuckled at his frustrated expression.“Sorry.Family is complicated.”
His expression softened.“Which is why you can plan this kind of event.”
“Yup.I watch for all familial issues in the hitches of voices and trembling hands of relatives.I put them where everyone can participate, and I give them no chance to disturb the event.”
He pulled her in close.“Peace is important to you.”
“Harmony.Harmony over peace.Peace is silence, but harmony is everything working together.”
“How many times have you seen me since you started checking in at the mayor’s mansion?”
“Seven, including the times we have talked.”
He caressed her cheek.“And you knew the whole time?”
